vista32 synaptics driver worked great

8/30/2009 9:55:06 PM

why is it 95% of netbooks out there come with regular hard drives? seems like 6 months ago+ more came with ssd

9/1/2009 8:28:46 AM

because some ssd's are crap

9/1/2009 8:29:49 AM

^ true...and the ones that aren't put the cost of a netbook out of range for competitive pricing

really, if you want an SSD, get the netbook you want with the cheapest hard drive you can find...then buy the SSD separately

9/1/2009 8:54:11 AM

and how much is a decent SSD? I wouldn't need much...anywhere from 10-20GB should be plenty

9/1/2009 8:56:23 AM

The only brands I would trust dont even make an ssd in smaller than 30Gb drives. OCZ makes the smallest but it costs $140. If you do go that route make sure you get an ssd with the new Indilinx Drive. I know G.Skill, OCZ, Super Talent and Patriot all have new Indilinx MLC drives that dont have the stuttering problem of the originals. But I would wait on an ssd for a netbook because of price alone.

For a desktop I could justify the price a little better because the new i7 should be able to saturate the I/O of an ssd. The netbooks just dont have the processing power. With exception to the newer Acer Aspire 1810tz which has a dual core but isnt out yet anyway.

ssd reading http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=3631

[Edited on September 1, 2009 at 9:14 AM. Reason : linky]

9/1/2009 9:13:04 AM

it depends on what you're looking for

top of the line SSDs are like the intel X25-M...the OCZ vertex is a close second...both of them are probably cost prohibitive at about $3/gb, though

i think i could argue that there is no "good" SSD right now...there are too many options that haven't been proven, yet (SLC over MLC, for one)...intel and indilinx (OCZ) make the best drives, but they're just way too expensive...if you go with the cheaper ones, their NAND memory is usually crap, so the only real advantage is power consumption

[Edited on September 1, 2009 at 9:20 AM. Reason : ^ hah, i was about to post that link...it's a good read]

9/1/2009 9:20:06 AM

i was about to pick up
http://bensbargains.net/deal/113411/
or
http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=98274&t=1544001

(can't really tell any difference between the two)

but then i realized how little i'd be able to view on those 1024 X 576 resolution screens.

think i'm gonna hold out for some better resolution specs.

ok tww, i was a decent proc, high resolution screen, and a >= 18gb SSD for less than $300. plz to make it happen.

9/7/2009 1:37:39 PM

anything new or exciting scheduled to come out in the next month or two? i'd like to replace my celeron 900 eeepc with something speedier.

9/8/2009 11:57:04 PM

new atom is supposed to be out early next year. Don't know if that's too long for you or not though. I think it's something like a 1.86ghz dual core.

9/9/2009 8:51:20 PM

don't mind waiting. but won't ^ those specs put it out of the netbook category that MS specified? not that i'd mind running windows 7 on a netbook.

9/9/2009 9:12:12 PM

thanksgiving price drops?

old laptop is falling apart.

9/9/2009 10:18:25 PM

^^ MS has already talked about Win7 on netbooks so I'd imagine that they'll be pulling XP shortly after 7 is available. There's already other netbooks on Vista because of their specs so there's definitely a market for faster/larger netbooks.

9/10/2009 7:35:00 AM

Vista on a netbook-class computer. [shudder]

9/10/2009 9:09:03 AM

this may have already been answered, but will windows 7 take less space and lesser requirements than xp? i've got a dell mini, one of the originals with a SSD, and i'm very very limited on space. mine came with xp, i just recently tried ubuntu and i'm not very happy with it. the touchpad driver is retarded and the idle/hibernate/shutdown sequence never works right.

9/10/2009 10:14:48 AM

XP requirements: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314865
win7 requirements: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/system-requirements.aspx

hard drive space
1.5gb for XP vs. 16/20gb for win7 (32/64)

proc
300mhz for XP vs. 1ghz for win7

memory
128mb for XP vs. 1/2gb for win7 (32/64)

9/10/2009 10:35:25 AM

Jesus H. Christ that is a bloated clusterfuck.

9/10/2009 12:22:42 PM

aye...the jump in disk space requirements from XP to vista/win7 is huge...snow leopard requires a modest 5gb and ubuntu is only 3gb...it's ridiculous

that said, disk space is dirt cheap...UNLESS you're using an SSD (which is the case in this particular instance), it shouldn't make any real difference...i guess the microsoft team spent too much time turning win7 into what vista should have been and decided it was easier to bloat the hell out of it than to design it well

*shrug*

9/10/2009 1:18:02 PM

Quote :

"hard drive space 1.5gb for XP vs. 16/20gb for win7 (32/64)"

yeah...i've only got 8gb total...no windows 7 is not for me

9/10/2009 1:32:14 PM

anyone interested in a lightly used asus eee pc 1000ha (in black)? i got it back in January and probably haven't used it for more than 30-40 total hours. nothing's wrong with it, but I just never find myself using it. no mods or anything and i could restore it to original factory condition if needed - i also have all of the original packaging and manuals. it came with a sleeve, but i purchased a carry bag when i didn't know that a sleeve came with it (the bag is nicer though because it has a part that can hold the ac adapter)

netbook: http://tiny.cc/1000ha
bag: http://tiny.cc/bag11

pm me if interested - i'm looking for around $250 for the netbook and the bag (i bought new for $389 in January)

[Edited on September 23, 2009 at 1:16 PM. Reason : link is deceiving with high price]

9/23/2009 1:13:58 PM

I sent this guy a PM. Keep yer mitts off him.

9/23/2009 1:25:55 PM

going to order windows 7 for my acer aspire one, the $29 student method. from what I have read its worth doing. I don't keep a lot stored on the hard drive besides its 160 gigs anyway

9/23/2009 8:41:04 PM

so i ended up saying fuck the netbook (for now), and got this instead for $470 shipped:

Quote :

" 224-5072 1 Vostro 1320 317-2264 1 Intel Core Penryn T6670,2.2GHz 317-0458 1 4GB DDR2 800MHZ 2 DIMM Vostro 320-8210 1 Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 4500M HD Deep Cherry Red Vostro 1320 341-8906 1 250GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive with Free Fall Sensor Vostro 317-0459 1 Fingerprint Reader with DigitalPersona software Vostro 320-7933 1 13.3 inch WXGA TrueLife LCD for Vostro 1320 313-7797 1 Dell Resource DVD, Vostro 1320 412-1030 1 Dell Welcome Application: Vista only 412-1031 1 Dell Icon Consolidation 420-7658 1 Dell Support Center 2.0 for Dell Vostro 421-0275 1 Vista Ultimate Service Pack 1 w/Media 32 Edition Notebook English,Vostro 421-0320 1 Windows Live Search,Multiple User Interface,SMB 310-8628 1 You have chosen a Windows Vista Premium System 330-4198 1 Dell Data Back-up and RecoveryManager for Vista, English Latitude, Precision, OptiPlex,Vostro 330-3635 1 65W AC Adapter for Vostro 410-1858 1 Adobe Reader 9.0 Multi Language,for Dell Vostro Notebooks and Desktops 313-7663 1 8X DVD+/-RW with double-layer DVD+/-R write capability, Vostro 421-1188 1 Roxio Creator Dell Edition 10.3 Media Vostro 421-2080 1 Cyberlink Power DVD 8.3 Playback Vostro 313-7659 1 Integrated 1.3 Mega Pixel camera and digital mic w/webcam 430-3459 1 Dell WLAN 1397 (802.11b/g) 1/2MiniCard for Vostro 313-7655 1 Cherry Red with High Gloss Finish Vostro 410-2099 1 Norton Internet Security 2009 15 Month, Dell Vostro 312-0832 1 6-cell C-Tech 2.2AH Primary Battery for Vostro 412-0379 1 No software package 993-0920 1 Basic Support: Next Business Day Parts and Labor Onsite Response Initial Year 993-8017 1 Dell Hardware Limited Warranty Plus Onsite Service Initial Year 988-7347 1 No Warranty beyond 1 year 983-3920 1 Warranty Support,Initial Year 900-9987 1 Standard On-Site Installation Declined 905-9919 1 INFO, No Datasafe, VOSTRO 468-3168 1 Visit http://www.dell.com /windows7upgrade for Windows 7upgrade eligibility, RLOB 467-3560 1 Purchase is Not Intended for Resale 310-8319 1 Intel Core 2 Duo Processor 310-8977 1 Info SKU-Software and Peripherals products and solutions catalog included in system boxes"

good deal?

10/8/2009 11:01:49 PM

You already bought it. What does it matter?

10/8/2009 11:08:48 PM

i can still cancel

but mostly, it was just bragging

10/8/2009 11:35:38 PM

Ok TWW, I've got a beast-ass Pavilion dv8000 at home that does not like to travel any more. It still runs fine but the battery sucks and display is shot (using external monitor now).

I'm looking for a Netbook to start using as my primary machine for light surfing and web development, some simple GIMP (but no local DBs), but nothing too crazy.

It has to be under $450, >= 160GB HD, 2GB max RAM (even if it only comes with 1GB), >= 1.6GHz proc, and LONG battery life.

Since I'm trying to start my own small business I really like the professional look of the HP Mini 5101:

http://www.netbookchoice.com/2009/06/24/hp-mini-5101-the-ultimate-business-netbook/

I'm looking at the FM978UT#ABA model, in the low end. Regardless, I like the 7200rpm HD, GigE NIC, a/b/g/n (draft 2.0) Wireless NIC and (spill resistant!!!) 95% keyboard.

On the other hand, I've researched the Asus Eee PC Seashell 1101HA also:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16834220579

All the NewEgg reviews are great, which is definitely encouraging. The 1101HA-MU1X-BK model I'm considering also sports an SDHC cardreader, WXGA 1366x768 ED display, and an astonishing 11 hours (reported) battery life.

Can anyone nudge me in the right direction? HP vs. Asus help? Are there other models (of any manufacturer) that I should add into my comparison? There are several Asus models out there that could do the job as well but I haven't quite sifted through all of them yet. I must say the 1101HA's larger screen/keyboard are enticing.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks TWW!!!

10/22/2009 2:04:17 AM

Any NVidia Ion's floating around?

10/22/2009 4:30:01 PM

those seashells are pretty spiffy-looking. but that's about all they bring to the table to make them more attractive than any other offering

10/22/2009 5:11:23 PM

what about reliability? how long will each brand last? overall quality of components used? processor comparison? anyone had these models where they could list +s or -s?

10/23/2009 6:43:17 PM

I am very satisfied with my Asus EEE 901.

10/23/2009 6:59:51 PM

i've owned an asus eeepc 1000hd for about a year now. overall i'm happy with it. the construction is A+, and it feels very sturdy. the plastic is a bit on the cheap side, as it's a magnet for fingerprints and scratches. the screen is decent, if not a standout. battery life is awesome. keyboard is very very comfortable to use, in fact it's kinda spoiled me for other laptop keyboards. my only regret is not getting one with a 1.6 GHz proc.

Honestly a netbook buyer needs to think about three things:
1. What am I really going to be doing with this thing on a daily basis? a larger laptop may or may not be a better solution.
2. Am I willing to pay more for a SSD option? Most current iterations aren't really any faster than mechanical HD's, nor have significant battery savings.
3. Do I really like one brand over the other? They mostly all have similar specs... their differences at the moment are keyboard layout and physical styling.

Fin.

10/23/2009 8:02:44 PM

Thanks man, I appreciate the analysis.

Honestly I really like the thought of an 11" netbook since I plan to do a fair amount of web development and the (slightly) larger screen would come in handy; however, the HP has a faster HD and some kind of magnesium composite chassis and spill-resistant keyboard.

Choices choices! I'm kinda stuck

10/23/2009 9:07:46 PM

if your web dev is primarily going to be code-based, a netbook might be ok, if not special. if you're going to be doing any design, then consider that most netbooks have 1024x600 screens, which isn't much room.

from what i've seen, the people that really like their netbooks the most are people that want portability, low-cost, great battery life, and don't mind making some sacrifices in speed and screen real estate to get it.

10/23/2009 9:14:22 PM

the 1101, 1008, and 1005 have 8.5 and 11+ hour battery life models. I do not believe anyone else does.

10/24/2009 10:32:22 AM

does the novelty of these things wear off or are they actually more usefull than a laptop with a 12 cell battery ??/

10/27/2009 11:13:20 PM

it really depends on what you want it for. I loved mine when I had it because it was perfect for traveling. I didn't have to worry about lugging a big 15"+ laptop around on flights. I ended up getting rid of it because I wanted more screen real estate. The small screen was a huge inconvenience when I needed to remote in to my work desktop. I ended up going to a 13" Macbook instead which helped tremendously. I just picked up a new 13" Toshiba "Thin & Light" tonight to replace the MB (age, needed Windows, & slightly lighter).

All of that said, I had a really hard time not picking up another one during today's woot-off when they had 3 different models going. They really have their place and I wouldn't mind grabbing one or two to keep at the office for a back-up and as a digital media server for our LCD Sign so I don't have to bring mine in each time we want to change something.

10/27/2009 11:33:15 PM

the novelty has yet to wear off for me. in fact, when the next iteration comes around, i'll be looking closely at upgrading to another one. the form factor works well.

10/27/2009 11:47:04 PM

i like the new nvidia ion chip that the new hps are coming with... sounds like they can actually handle some decent graphics now too.

10/28/2009 9:18:28 AM

I didn't know about the woot-off (DAMMIT!) but I bought myself an HP Mini 311 earlier this week.

Can't wait for it to get here!!!

10/29/2009 12:05:21 AM

I'd say as long as you have a desktop to use in conjunction with a netbook it is OK. It is kinda annoying how small the screen is, and the speed of some apps. In fact I don't leave much on the machine and am currently doing a refresh of the system as I type this.

I MIGHT get rid of mine because honestly I am always on my desktop and never travel. I think some of the novelty has really worn off on me. But it would still be the case for any size notebook or netbook right now as I don't think any would be as nice as a desktop for me at the moment, or as useful.

10/29/2009 6:53:10 AM

Do you guys think i should wait for the ION and the new Pineview processor next year (feb 2010 proll) or jump on a black friday deal? I thought this pineview processor was supposed to be cheaper.

11/14/2009 6:21:15 PM

if you're talking about a difference of three months, you might as well go ahead and pull the trigger. because if you're gonna wait three months now, you might as well wait three more months after feb 2010, since something else is sure to appear after that.

that said, if you really want a decent deal, wait until the current batch of machines are more discounted, and pick one up off of woot around march-april. lol

11/14/2009 7:54:55 PM

i use my netbook almost everyday just sitting here in my chair half watching tv

11/14/2009 8:57:42 PM

I would wait until a netbook comes out with a dual-core processor AND NVidia ion chipset. That's probably not happening until late next year, though.

11/14/2009 10:45:50 PM

or 11/23 of this year...

11/15/2009 9:40:28 AM

MAC OSX 10.5.5 runs better on my Dell Mini9 than Windows 7/vista. I haven't used a Mac since 8th grade but I like this.

11/16/2009 12:37:42 PM

i need your help tww. i'm getting either a new laptop or a netbook. i travel a lot during the summers so i would like to take a netbook with me. but i would mainly be using it for work, typing and using microsoft word and powerpoint all of the time.

is there any slowdown when using office? perhaps while browsing simultaneously? if i do go with one, will i need 2 or 3 gb of ram?

11/22/2009 4:54:38 PM

I was thinking about getting an HP Mini 311 for Christmas but didn't want to pay the extra $210 for the 80 gig SSD. Does anyone know how hard it would be to upgrade to one later on when they get cheaper? I have no problem replacing hardware on desktops but that is quite a bit different than netbooks...at least I assume it is.

Thanks.

11/22/2009 6:23:47 PM

not hard, they still use SATA connectors. most netbooks are about as hard to disassemble as other laptops. just get a smaller philips or torx screwdriver and have at it.

11/22/2009 9:23:05 PM

I just busted the shit out of my Samsung N10 LCD. Now what?

11/22/2009 9:24:44 PM